Source : the age
Airport lounges aren’t just for the well-heeled. An economy ticket on a low-cost airline could get you into a lounge – at least, with the right membership or top-tier credit card. Or, of course, if you’re willing to pay. But are airport lounges worth paying for, and where are some of the best? Let’s dive in.
How can I access some of the world’s best lounges, without flying up the front?
Some lounges are exclusively for business class and first class, but most offer another route for entry. Qantas’ exclusive first class lounges in Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore and Los Angeles allow Qantas Platinum members to waltz inside, and with a guest to boot, even when flying economy. The same applies to Qantas’ Domestic Business Lounges, where a Platinum card can again be your friend.
Certain credit cards offer lounge access, too, but usually to mid-tier lounges. For the best lounges, you’ll have to fly up front, or fly quite often.
Which credit cards offer the best chance at lounge access?
The American Express Platinum charge card ($1450 a year) grants unlimited entry to 1550-plus lounges globally: all with a plus one. There’s Virgin Australia’s domestic lounges (when flying Virgin), Plaza Premium, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Escape Lounges, Amex’s Centurion Lounges (Sydney, Melbourne and abroad), and Priority Pass locations, including Rex’s domestic lounges (Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide).
The more affordable Amex Velocity Platinum Card ($440 a year) ditches Priority Pass and international access but retains unlimited Virgin Australia domestic lounge entry (when flying Virgin) for the cardholder only. Two annual single-use guest passes can get a companion into the lounge when travelling together.
For international travellers, the Bankwest More World Mastercard ($270 a year) offers 10 lounge entries a year to locations affiliated with DragonPass. An eligible onward flight is generally required for entry.
Can you buy your way into the best lounges?
Most airlines say no, but some encourage it. Emirates will welcome you into its Dubai first class lounges for $US263 ($376), provided you’re a member of Emirates Skywards which is free to join. Otherwise, it’s $US315.
Already qualify for Emirates’ business class lounges? “Upgrade” to the first class lounge for $US157.50 with Skywards membership, or $US183.75 if you’d rather not join.
At Qatar Airways’ Doha hub, passengers without lounge access can enter the Al Mourjan business class lounge for QAR550 ($216). Those who already qualify for Al Mourjan entry can upgrade to the Al Safwa first class lounge for QAR715. Just ask and pay at reception.
Paid access aside, what are some of the world’s best lounges?
I’m itching to revisit The Private Room, Singapore Airlines’ best lounge. Its champagne list is unrivalled: think multiple champagnes each retailing for $400 to $500 a bottle, poured here like water.
Qatar’s phenomenal Al Safwa lounge takes design inspiration from Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art, from which it also borrows pieces to display. There are free hotel rooms (six-hour limit), two a la carte restaurants, private TV suites and duty-free shopping away from the crowds.
British Airways’ London Heathrow Concorde Room has high “avgeek” appeal. Dine beside the nose of a retired Concorde and peruse historic displays of Concorde crockery, boarding passes, baggage tags, inflight menus and more.
The Delta One Lounge in Los Angeles skips the museum to offer waiter service at every seat, relaxation suites, an outdoor terrace and even a private entrance from the road into its own check-in lounge and VIP security channel. It’s very Hollywood.
Do lounges ever turn travellers away?
When airlines invite you to a lounge, it’s rare to be turned away. Airlines negotiate capacity guarantees when signing lounge agreements. But some lounges cater to airline-invited passengers and others, like Priority Pass members.
Given the airline guarantees, Priority Pass users and other independent visitors are typically the first to be declined. Fortunately, these programs often have more than one lounge partner at the same airport, so check if there’s one in the same terminal.
While it’s not always the case, American Express’ Centurion Lounges in the US are notorious for having extensive waitlists at the door. Fortunately, I haven’t seen this in Sydney or Melbourne.
Travelling during an airport’s quieter periods can increase chances of success or reduce wait times. Many airports are busiest in the early mornings and early evenings: the times most common with business travellers.
Are pay-per-use lounges any good?
In short, it depends. Lounges vary greatly – even those of the same brand. In my view, Melbourne’s Marhaba Lounge is dire, lacking even barista-made coffee. After five minutes, I walked out: I certainly wouldn’t pay for this lounge. But other Marhaba lounges can be nicer, such as in Dubai (particularly Terminals 1 and 2).
Plaza Premium has some lovely lounges, but shower access often costs extra. If an airline-branded lounge is an option, it’ll often be better, but may cost more.
Why not just buy a meal at an airport restaurant?
For many, all-inclusive food and drinks are the biggest drawcard in a lounge. Most travellers gain entry through their airline, status, annual membership or existing credit card, so aren’t directly paying.
But if you are pondering a purchase, consider how much time you’ll have, what you intend to consume and whether you’ll use all the amenities. A shower before an overnight flight is a godsend, and with towels and amenities provided, the lounge visit may prove more valuable.
Which lounges are the most accommodating to children?
Eleven Qantas lounges have Joey Clubs: a space just for kids with books and toys to suit. The newest resides in Qantas’ revamped Auckland lounge, while Sydney’s domestic Joey Club (inside the Qantas Club) has been recently rebuilt and expanded in partnership with Lego.
Qantas and Virgin Australia also follow generous lounge access policies that welcome children in addition to a traveller’s normal adult guest allowance. Per entry, Qantas permits two children aged four to 17 plus any children aged three or under. Virgin allows three children aged two to 17, plus infants under the age of two.
Further afield, Emirates’ colourful playrooms in Dubai will keep young ones entertained for hours.
Which new lounges do I need to know about?
Singapore Airlines plans to open a new Melbourne lounge before the year’s end in a prime upstairs corner, departing from its current location below decks. Emulating the carrier’s stylish SilverKris business class lounge in Singapore, an initial batik theme flows through to a light-filled space accented by marble and brass trim, with stunning views.
Emirates’ new lounge design, seen first in Munich and Frankfurt to be joined this year by Mauritius, Manchester and Istanbul. The updated offerings include barista-made coffee, bartender service, cooked-to-order dishes and a refreshed style that reflects the airline’s updated Airbus A380 cabin interiors.
Over in Honolulu, what had been a secret lounge for celebrities now welcomes Hawaiian Airlines’ international business class passengers, Sydney flights included. Guests are ushered through an unmarked door and into a quiet space that also houses a private terrace.
This year, Cathay Pacific reopened The Wing. First. While the much-loved cabanas are gone, the Hong Kong lounge now offers massage treatments (foot, or neck and shoulder), and its dining offering has been stepped up to align with The Pier.
How early can you visit an airport lounge?
Airport check-in can be the biggest barrier to an early arrival, as you’ll need to ditch your suitcase and receive a boarding pass before venturing to the lounge. Some lounges also restrict entry to three hours before departure, a common restriction of American Express Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges.
But there are ways around the rules. Hong Kong’s in-town check-in allows travellers to ditch their bag and get their boarding pass earlier in the day, which can mean an earlier visit to the lounge. Those with connecting flights can also get an early jump on lounge entry at the transit point, as they’ll typically get that onward boarding pass before the first flight.
Lounging about makes the most sense on longer layovers: what else are you going to do at the airport?
Melbourne-based journalist and columnist Chris Chamberlin enjoys maximising his points to travel the world in comfort and, as a points coach, helping others to do the same. From showering on a plane to stretching out in a double bed in the sky, Chris knows all the tips for flying in style without breaking the bank. His adventures have taken him on almost 1000 flights aboard more than 80 airlines, earning lifetime frequent flyer status along the way. Follow him on Instagram @chris_chamberlin.Connect via email.
